Television sending and receiving apparatus



June 17, 1930. Q 1 WAGNER 1,765,292

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet l j j# l alumna ox j l RADIO TRANsmTT'l-:l drh/W W l June17, 1930. c. J. WAGNER TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS FiledOct. 26, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet June 17, 1930.

C, J. WAGNER Filed Oct. 26, 1927 TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 17, 1930. Q 1 WAGNER 1,755,292

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5SILeeS--Sheey 4 iai- @Hymne/111,

TELEVISION SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet 5 [y "L ff gwvanoz QIZJTVy/zer i inability Patented June17, 1930 CARL J. WAGNER, OF QLEVELAND, OHIO TELEVISION SENDING ANDBECEIVINGAPPABATUS Application tiled October 26, 1927. Serial No,228,788.

The primary object of this invention is to provide television apparatusincluding sending andreceiving sets which'inay be adjusted to synchronywith respect to one another. o

All of the now known devices availedof for picture transmission by haveembodied therein the need for operating the sending and receiving setsin synchrony, and this invention does not depart from thisidea. Beforethis invention this synchronizing of the sending and receiving set wasobtained by commencing the opera- .tion of the two sets at exactly thesame time, theproper functioning of the television apparatus beingdirectly dependent on this feature.

If picturesl are broadcastedl by radio it isrl obviously impossible tostart several receiving sets at the same moment as the sending sets. Itis to this fact that We trace the of heretofore broadcasting pictures byradio.

This invention contemplates obviating the need of simultaneouslystartingthe operation of the sending and receiving apparatuses by including inthe receiving apparatus mechanism which is capable of adjusting thisapparatus to sending set.

In carrying out this idea an entirely new inethod of analyzing orscanning a picture is employed.

It is this novel: manner of scanning the picturewhich makes possible,the adjusting of the sets to synchrony. In-

herently interrelated with Athe scanning mechanism are instrumentalitieswhich project the transmitted picture onto a screen` The scanningapparatus, following the fundamental principles of this invention,includesa cylinder` having a seriesof openings arranged in a helixthereabout. Cooperating With'this cylinder is a second cylinder havinglongitudinal slots arranged at ri ht angles with respect to the firstcylin er. These cylinders, together with other instrumentalities,cooperate in the analyzing or scanning of the picture by projecting raysof light taken from the picture during the scanning operation onto aphotoelectric cell.

light and dark values,

electric energy synchrony with the As the picture or image will thetherefrom will be of ch The constantly changing light rays will vary thethrough the cell by its action current governed by the photo-electricmay then be either stepped up and transformedmanner for transmission byapparatus.

`have varying rays lof light anging intensity. strength of the currentpassing thereon. The cell transmitted by wire or in the proper radiosending At the receiving end this varying current is received bysuitable radio paratus and is availed of to rent creating a lightsource.

varies so will the strength' of receiving ap overn a curs the current liht given out by the light source. A This lig t is pro.

jected through openings in 'a Alar in all respects to the first ncylinder simiamed cylinder of the sending apparatus which will4cooperate with other instrumentalities in the projecting the raysoflight receiving set in from the light they will form be a replica ofcurrent in the This invention .source onto a sending set.

provides for screen where an image.V This imagevwill the picture whichvaried the adjusting the receiving apparatus to the sending apparatus byincluding means in the first named set for adjusting the cylinderincluded therein Suitable mechanism justing the position terior of thecylinder.

a horizontal plane; that is, position around a pivot may is alsoprovided for adof the light source in- These elements of its angular bevaried.

adjustability give in efl'ectwhat we might term horizontal and verticaladjustments of the image resulting from the functioning of the set.

l A more particular feature tion is the for simultaneously operating ofthis invenprovison of driving mechanism the cylinders imilarmechareceiving apparatus to simultaneously operate the cylinder andvarythe position of the light source.

A highly important feature of this invention is the speed with scanned,together with the projection of the transmitted which a picture 'isequally speedy vimage onto a screen. It is felt that this property offast transmission, together with the ability to adjust to synchrony,will particularly adapt this television apparatus to the broadcasting ofmotion pictures.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages will in part becomeapparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the\invention proceeds.

For a complete understanding of the invention reference may be had tothe following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the sending apparatus, parts being shown insection and parts in elevation.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sending apparatus, parts being shown insection.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the receiving apparatusshowing the cylinderand certain other parts in section.

Figure 4 is a side View of the receiving apparatus showing moreparticularly the radio receiving amplifying and transforming mechanism,also showing somewhat diagrammatically the operation of the light sourcein the cylinder.

Figure 5is a plan view of the gear mechanism employed in the receivingapparatus, similar mechanism being employed in the sending set.

Figure 6 'is an enlarged, detailed side View showing the mounting of thecylinder in the receiving set in section.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary showing of the cylinder in the receiving set,illustrating more particularly the manner in which the lensescooperating with the light source are mounted therein.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, detailed View showing the operating mechanismfor the lenses in the cylinder of the receiving set.

Figure 9 is a detailed showing of the mechanism employed 'for varyingthe position of the light source in the cylinder of the receiving set.

Figure 10 isa cross sectional view taken on the lines 10-10 of Figure 9.

While the preferred form of the invention is hereinafter set forth, itis to be understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exactconstruction disclosed, because various modifications of these detailsmay be made in putting the invention into practice within the purview ofthe appended claims.

A television apparatus made in accordance with this invention comprisesgenerally a sending set and a receiving set. The description of theparticular apparatuses shown in the drawings will be formulated by firstdescribing the sending set and then its operation, the description willthen go on to the receiving set, together with its operation.

Sending set The sending set comprises a suitable base A, on which ismounted a container B in any conventional manner. This container mayinclude the removable top C, which will afford access to the interior inwhich the sending apparatus is mounted. In one wall of the casing Bthere is an opening 1, outside of which is mounted a lens structure 2forming a part of suitable projection apparatus.

The projection apparatus functions to form an image on the surface of acylinder, the particular construction of which is to be hereinafter setforth. Obviously the projection apparatus must include suitable lensconstruction to carry out the intended operation.

Mounted on the base A by a turntable structure to be later described isa cylinder 4. This cylinder has openings 5 therein which are arranged ina helix thereabout. These openings are very 'small and are spacedcircumferentially a substantial distance. The pitch of the helix formedby these openings is about one-sixteenth of an inch. Of course theparticular size and position of these openings may be varied, inaccordance with the use to which the apparatus is to be put.

Upstanding from the base A are supports 6, to which arms 7 are secured.Held between the arms 7 is a prism 8. Prism 8 has two faces 9 which areat the' same angle with respect to face 10 and are silvered. The purposeof this prism is to reflect any light rays entering from the openings 5first upwardly and then horizontally, shown by the arrows in Figure 1.Obviously these surfaces 9 will be at an angle of 90 with respect to oneanother. Pivotally mounted on one of the supports 6 is a second cylinder11 which extends horizontally with respect to the base A. ,This cylinderhas longitudinal slots 12 in the circumferential wall thereof. Rigidlyfastened to the other support 6 is a U-shaped supporting lnember 13having arms 14 and 15. The arm 14 terminates in a yoke 14. Suitablyaiixed in yoke 14 is a lens structure, as shown at 16. rlhe arm 15 hasmounted thereon a photo-electric cell 17 from which wires 18 leadthrough the casing B to suitable radio transmission apparatus. A propermotor, in this instance a three phase induction motor, 19 is aixed tothe interior of one of the walls of the casing B. Projecting downwardlyfrom the motor 19 is a driving shaft 20 which terminates in a gear wheel21. Conventional gear transmission transmits power from the gear 21 tothe turntable on which the cylinder 4 is mounted, for the purpose of.rotating said cylinder. Cylinder 11 is rotated by suitable I taken offof the ring gear 22 by gear mechanism which takes its power from partofthe gear mechanism comprising the turntable structure.

Referring more particularly to Figures 5 and 6, the turntable structurewill now be described. This invention contemplates making use ofsubstantially the same turntable structure in both the sending andrcceiving sets. A large ring gear wheel is designated by the referencecharacter 22. This ring gear has both interior and exterior gearsurfaces. An intermediate gear 23, which is driven by the gear wheel 21,engages with the exterior of the ring gear 22 for driving purposes.Mounted on the slipport A is a suitable turntable support which haspivotally mounted thereon a turntable gear wheel 24. At diagrammaticallyopposite points on the turntablegear wheel 24 are pivots 25,f on whichare mounted comparatively small gear wheels 26. Upstanding from theturntable support is a pin 27, which pivot-ally supports a spiderstructure 28. Drivably connected with the spider structure is a drivinggear 29 which meshes with the gears 26. It is noted that the ring gear22 is mounted so that it freely rotates around the spider supportingstructure. An adjusting arm 3i) has a worm gear 31 at one end, whichengages with the turntablegear 24, while at the other end is a suitableoperating member 32. This adjusting arm 30 is mounted on the base A 1nany suitable manner.

In the sending apparatus a gear wheel operatively engages the exteriorgear surface of the ring gear 22. This gear wheel also meshes with abevel gear 34 at the end of a rod 35, which has at its other end anotherbevel gear 36 meshing with a complemental gear 37 which is drivablyconnected to the cylinder 11 by suitable driving shafts.

The operation of the mechanism for rotating the cylinders is as follows:Power from the motor is transmitted from the motor 19 through shaft 20to the gear 21, which in turn drives the intermediate gear 23, said lastnamed gear in turn driving the ring gear 22. The gears 26, which engagethe interior gear surface of ring 22 and the spider driving gearY 29,cause the power to oe transmitted from the ring gear to the spider. Ifthe angular position of the cylinder is to be varied it 'may be done bytur'ning the operating member 32, which will cause the worm gear 31 tocooperate with the turntable gear 24 in changing theangular position ofthe turntable. Power is the gear 33 to'rotate the cylinder 11. It isapparent that these cylinders 4 and 11 will rotate at speeds, the iatiobetween which will be constant as it would be impossible for one torotate without the other.

In order to operate the sending set the dark values motor 19 must firstbe started, which Pcauses the simultaneous rotation of the cylinders 4and 11, and suitable current is passed through the circuit including thephoto-electric cell 17. An image projected onto the lens structure at 2will he further projected by the lens 3 on the cylinder 4. Certain raysof light from the image will pass through the openings 5 and bereflected by the surfaces 9 onto the cylinder 11. The elongated slots 12in the cylinder 11, which is rotating simultaneously with the cylinder4, will pick out successive rays of light which have passed through theopenings 5, and said rays of light will pass onto the lens. structure at16, which lens Astructure throws the rays in succession onto thephoto-electric cell at 17. The order in which the rays of light arethrown on the cell is the same as the order of the openings forming thehelix. First the light from one opening `will be flashed onto the cell,then the light from the next opening, and so on. As various parts of thepicture have different light and the light rays therefrom will vary inintensity and acting on the photoelectric cell will cause variation ofthe current flowing therethrough. This varying current may then betransmitted either by direct wire ,or through the radio transmissionfrom which it is broadcasted.

Receiving set The receiving set may include any necessary radioreceiving, amplifying and transforming apparatus. This part of the setis old and well known and, as any conventional type, thereof can beemployed, a detailed description of these parts isdeemed unnecessary. InFigure 4 that portion of the receiving set which is not a part of theradio apparatus is shown mounted above the radio a paratus on a suitablebase D. A casing E'. having a removable cover F is carried by the baseD. In one wall of the casing is a comparatively large opening 39 inwhich is a screen 40 that is adapted to have the picture resulting fromthe transmission projected thereon. Mounted on the turntable Vand spiderstructure, clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6 and which has hereinbeforebeen described, is a cylinder 41 which is an exact replica of thecylinder 4 in the sending set. It is to be noted that the receivingapparatus includes the operating member 42 which acts through suitableconnections on the worm 43 for var ing the angular position of theturntable, this operating member and its corresponding parts beingequivalent to the operating member 32 in the sending set. Rigidlysupported interior of the cylinder 41 is a suitable light source which,in this instance, comprises a bank of neon tubes 44, four in number.These tubes are adapted to be successively lighted by instrumentalitiesto be later described. It is notable that the successive lighting of thetubes effects a varying of the position of the light source in thecylinder. ln front of each neon tube is an elongated projecting lens 45,which is mounted and operated in al novel manner, which is a particular'feature of this invention.

Referring more particularly to Figures 7 and 8, a gear wheel 46 takespower from the exterior of the ring gear 22. The gear 46 is at oneextremity of a driving shaft 47, which is suitably mounted on armsextending from support 48 upstanding from the base D. At the upper endof the shaft 47 is a crank arm 48. This arm is connected by a link 49 toan oscillating crank member 50. The link 49 has its extremitiespivotallv mounted on the crank members 48 and 50. Projecting downwardlyfrom the oscillating crank 50 is a shaft 51 which has rocking arms 52extending horizontally therefrom. Pivotally fastened to each of therocking arms 52 are operating links 53 which are secured to the lenses45 at points which are off-center with respect to the horizontal axesthereof. The lenses 45 are pivotally mounted between supports 54, whichproject downwardly into the cylinder 41. by ivots 55 mounted at themiddle points of the sides of the lenses 45. If it is desired, suitablereflecting structure may surround the neon tubes so as to direct all thelight generated by the tubes to the lenses 45. These lenses condense thelight from the tubes to a` line which moves as the lenses rock. Lenses45 must be of such construction that their focal point, or in this casetheir focal line, will lie at the circumference of the cylinder 41.

For successively lighting the neon tubes 44, there is shown in Figures 9and 10, certain instrumentalities for this purpose. Pivotally mountedbetween suitable supports which are affixed to the base D is a roller 56which has contact points 57 arranged helically therearound. It will benoted that there are quite a few more contacts than there are neontubes. The roller 56 is con-' nected by a conductor 58 to the circuitcoming from the radio apparatus which is governed by the photo-electriccell in the sending set.

A slide 59 is adapted to reciprocate in a member 60, which is fastenedto the base D. Connector arms or fingers 61 are fastened at one end tothe slide 59, while their free ends engage the roller 56. The manner inwhich the fingers 61 engage the roller is similar to the brushconstruction in an electric motor or generator.

Conductors 62 lead from one end of the fingers 61 to the neon tubes. Thecontact points 57 on the roller 56 are so spaced that only one of thelingers 61 is in electrical connection with the roller at one time. Asthe roller 56 rotates it will be apparent that the neon tubes will becaused to be lighted successively.

Referring more particularly to Figure Il, it will be netedthat theroller 56 is caused to rotate by means of a driving connection thattakes power from a gear wheel 63, which is driven by a motor 64 mountedon a support 65. This gear wheel 63 drives the turntable and spiderstructure in a manner as described in the sending apparatus. lt will henoted that the power for successively operating the neon tubes is takenfrom the same gear which rotates the turntable and causes rocking of thelenses 45. In other words, these various mechanisms are operatedsimultaneously and at speeds, the ratio between which will be constantas is necessary for the proper operation of the set.

The times at which the neon tubes will be lighted may be varied, whichgives in effect a varying of the position of the light source in thecylinder. The slide 59 is adjusted in the member 60 by means of screw 66which is caused to turn by operating member 67.

Mounted around a portion of the cylinder 41 is a cylindrical screen 68which is translucent. This screen is adapted to have an image projectedthereon. Suitably mounted with respect to the screen 68 is a lens 69which will project an image from the cylindrical screen 68 onto theplane screen 4f). The lens 69 is of such construction that it willcorrect distortion in one direction only. There will be no verticaldistortion of the image on the screen 68. but/there will be a certainamount of horizontal distortion duc to the cylindrical shape of thecylinder 41 and screen 68, this distortion being corrected by lens 69.Lens 69 may be mounted on the base D in any suitable manner, as by thesupports 7l).

Varying current will he taken up by the radio aerial` shown at 71, andbe conducted to the radio apparatus whence it will be properly amplifiedand transformed. This current will then lead to the roller 56 from whereit will be conducted to either one of the neon tubes through the fingers61. From the neon tubes the circuit will lead back to the radioapparatus and on to the ground. As the current running through the neontubes varies in strength, so will the light generated by these tubesvary. The light from these tubes will pass through lens 45 and throughopenings in the cylinder 41 in succession. This light will be thrown onthe screen 68 where, due to the variations therein, it will cause lightand dark values to be flashed onto the screen in various places. Themotors 19 and 64 will be twin motors which run with identically the samespeed and, due to the similarity of the construction between thecylinders 4 and 41,

varying angular positions the image will be thrown on the screen exactlyas it was projected onto the cylinder in the receiving set.

As previously set forth, the primary object of this invention is toinclude in the television apparatus sending and receiving sets which maybe adjusted to synchrony,

land this is accomplished in the following manner: The sending set maybe started at any time. This invention puts all of the synchronizingmeans in the receiving set. The reason for this is obvious; therepossibly would be a large number of receiving sets to one sending set.After the sending set has been started the receiving set may be set inoperation by starting the motor 64 and goingr through the variousoperations in the radio apparatus necessary to pick u the current sentout by the sending set. llt) will be noted that the receiving setincludes means for adjusting the picture in two directions. By availingof the operating member 42 the turntable may be adjusted to give of thecylinder. This gives in effect a horizontal adjustment of the image,while the operating member (5T, through its control of the lighting 0fthe neon tubes, will give a vertical adjustment.

While the instrumeiitalities for adjusting the set to synchrony areshown included in vthe receiving set it is intended to be well withinthe scope of this invention to include this adjusting means in thesending set. This might be a highly desirable feature if only onereceiving set was employed in connection with one sending set.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating a'n image inaccordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in coinination,scanning means having openings arranged in a helix, a.l plurality oflight sources cooperating with said scanning means, means forsuccessively illuminating said light sources, and instrumentalitie's forconcentrating and moving. the light emanating from the light sourcesover the scanning means.

2. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating an image inaccordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in combination,a cylinder having openings arranged in ay helix thereabout, a lightsource interior of the cylinder, and instrumentalities for concentratinand moving the light resulting from the light source over the interiorsurface of the cylinder.

3. In television apparatus, mechanism for creating an image inaccordance with a varying electric current, comprising, in combination,a rotating cylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, alight source interior of the cylinder governed by the varying electriccurrent, means for changing the position of the light source in thecylinder, and instrumentalities for concentrating and moving the lightresulting from the light source over the interior of the cylinder.

4. In television apparatus, a sending set including a rotating cylinderhaving openings arranged in a helix thereabout, said helix consisting ofmore than one full turn, a receiving set, the receiving set including arotating cylinder which is an exact 'replica of the cylinder in thesending set, and means for adjusting the rotating cylinders to synchronywith respect to one another.

5. In television apparatus, a sending set, comprising a rotatingcylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, said helixconsisting of a plurality of turns, instrumentalities for selectinsuccessive rays of light passing through t e openings and passing saidrays onto mechanism that governs a varying electric current, a receivingset including a rotating cylinder which is a duplicate of the cylinderin the sending set, alight source governed by the varying electriccurrent coming from the first named set, and instrumentalities foradjusting the operation of the receiving set to synchrony with thesending set.

6. In a television receiving set of the class described, comprising, incombination, instruinentalities for picking up a varying electriccurrent emitted from a sending station, a light source varying instrength with the varying electric current, means for varying theposition of the effective light source, instrumentalities operable tothrow a beam of light on a screen which is in eect a moving beam, andmeans to adjust the operation of theso-called moving light source.

7. A television receiving set of the class described, comprising, incombination, a cyliiiderhaviiig openings arranged in a helix thereabout,means for rotating the cylinder, a light source interior of thecylinder, means for varying the position of the effective light source,and means for adjusting both the means that rotates the cylinder and themeans that varies the effective position of the light source.

8. A television receiving set of the class described, comprising, incombination, a cyliiider having openings arranged in a helix thereabout,means for rotating the cylinder, a light source interior of thecylinder, a tiltable lens arranged with respect to the light source sothat it throws light coming therefrom in a concentrated beam over acertain range of cylinder surface, and means for causing rocking of thelens synchronouslv with rotation of the cylinder.

9. n television, the combination with sending apparatus comprising acylinder fil having openings arranged 'i'n a helix there- Va pathconsisting of spaced parallel st aight lilies, of receiving apparatusJfor receiving the image transmitted by the sending apparatus andreproducing thc same, including a cylinder having openings arranged inthe helix thereabout, the cylinder being a duplicate ol' the cylinderinthe sending apparatus aforesaid, a light source arranged within thecylinder, means for operating the light source and the cylinder, andmeans for adjusting said operating means so that the receiving apparatusmay be adjusted in synchrony with the sending apparatus, saidladjustingmeans including instrumentalities whereby the proper turn in the helixot the receiving set is brought to effective operation in accordancewith the corresponding turn in the sending apparatus, and furtherinstrumentalities for adjusting any one turn to exact operation withturn in the sending apparatus.

10. In television, receiving comprising, in combination, a formed withopenings arranged in a helix, means for rotating the cylinder, aplurality of light sources arranged within the cylinder, means forcausing the light sources to be rendered effective successively insynehrony with rotation ot the cylinder, means for adjusting theoperation of the light sources whereby a vertical adjustment of theimage projected is provided, and means for adjusting the cylinderwhereby a horizontal adjustment of the image is provided for.

11. In television, receiving apparatus comprising, in colnbination, arevolving base, a cylinder mounted on the revolving base, said cylinderbeing formed with openings therein arranged in a helix thereabout, meansfor rotating the base, a light source within the cylinder, means fordirecting the light from the light sourct` iu a beam onto the cylinder,including instrumentalities whereby the beam is rendered in effect amoving beam, and means for ausing the operation of the instrumentalitiesfor etfecting the moving light beam and rotation of the cylinder insynchronous operation.

12. In television, receiving apparatus comprising, in combination, arevolving base, a cylinder mounted on the revolving hase, said cylinderbeing formed with openings therein arranged in a helix thereabout, meansfor rotating the base, a light source within the cylinder, means fordirecting the. light from the light source in the beam onto thecylinder, including instriunentalities whereby the beam is rendered ineffect a moving beam, ni ans for causing thtl operation of theinstrinnent'alities for effecting the moving light beam and rotation ofthe cylinder in synchronous operation, and indeapparatus cylinder thecorresponding pendent means for adjusting the revolving base andinstrumcntalities controlling the moving beam.

13. In television, receiving apparatus, comprising, in combination, ascanning cylinder, a plurality of light sources arranged within thecylinder, instrumentalities for causing said light sources to berendered successively effective said instrumentalities consisting of a`commutator, and means for adjusting the commutator whereby the operationof the lights may be controlled and adjusted.

14. In television, receiving apparatus, comprising, in combination, ascanning cylinder, a plurality of light sources arranged within thecylinder, instrumentalities `for causing said light sources to berendered successively effective, said instrmnentalities consisting of acommutator, and means for adjusting the commutator whereby the operationof the lights may be controlled and adjusted, said light controllingmeans including contacts and a slide having contacts cooperating withsaid first mentioned contacts, and operating means for the slide whichmay be availed of to adjust the light sources as the occasion demands.

15. In television, the combination with sending apparatus comprising acylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout, the helixhaving a plurality ofturns, and instrumentalities for selecting lightcoming through the proper helix and passing the same on to an electriccurrent controlling means, of receiving apparatus consisting of acylinder having openings arranged in a helix thereabout that is similarto the arrangement of openings in the helix in the sending apparatus, alight source within a cylinder, instrumentalities for throwing lightfrom the light source in a beam on to the cylinder, including meanswhereby the beam is rendered in effect a moving beam, and adjustmentmeans for the light source whereby the moving beam may be adjusted withthe selecting means aforesaid in the sending apparatus so that light inthe receiving apparatus will be projected on to the cylinder at theproper place with respect to the helically arranged openings inaccordance with operation of the selecting means in the sendingapparatus In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

CARL J. IVAGNER.

